Which 28 Gauge Product Lines Are Most Common?
Current observed prices are in the 30-day price summary at the top of this page, recomputed from tracked retailer listings. Shotshells are compared per shell, the shotgun equivalent of cost per round. The table below lists common load types by shot charge and intended use. It is a reference list, not a ranking.
| Load Type | Shell | Typical Shot Charge | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target / skeet loads | 2¾" | ¾ oz, #8–#9 | Skeet / Sporting Clays |
| Upland game loads (lead) | 2¾" | ¾ oz – 1 oz, #6–#7½ | Quail, Dove, Grouse |
| Non-toxic upland loads | 2¾" | steel, bismuth or tungsten | Areas requiring non-toxic shot |
| Specialty slug / buckshot | 2¾" | small slugs or buck | Limited availability |
Target lines such as Winchester AA and Remington STS are made in 28 gauge, alongside upland and target loads from Federal and Fiocchi.
What Is 28 Gauge?
Gauge is an old English measure: the gauge number is how many lead balls of the bore's diameter weigh one pound. A 28 gauge bore fits a lead ball of one-twenty-eighth of a pound, giving a nominal bore diameter of 0.550 inches (14.0mm). That places it between the 20 gauge at 0.615 inches and the .410 bore at 0.410 inches — the .410 is the one shotgun designation measured in inches rather than gauge.
The standard chamber length is 2¾ inches. A typical 28 gauge load carries ¾ ounce of shot, compared with ½ ounce for a 2½-inch .410, 11/16 ounce for a 3-inch .410, and ⅞ to 1 ounce for a 20 gauge. Shooters often cite the 28 gauge's wider bore relative to its shot charge — a shorter shot column than the .410's — as the reason for its reputation in the field and on clays.
Skeet and Clays
The 28 gauge is one of the four gauges in competitive skeet — 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 bore — so registered skeet shooters buy it in quantity, and it is common at sporting clays as a light-recoil option. Many competition shooters use sub-gauge tube sets that let one 12 gauge over-under shoot all four, which keeps the weight and handling of the gun the same while the shell changes.
Upland Hunting
The other traditional use is upland bird hunting — quail, woodcock, dove, and grouse — with light, quick-handling side-by-side and over-under guns. Its ¾ oz to 1 oz loads are sufficient for small birds at typical upland distances, and the light guns are comfortable to carry for a full day. Hunters in areas that require non-toxic shot use steel, bismuth, or tungsten loads; steel shot is lighter than lead, so pellet sizes are usually larger. Older guns with tight fixed chokes may not be rated for steel — the manufacturer is the authority.
Recoil and Shot Size
Recoil scales with shot charge, powder charge, and gun weight. A ¾ oz 28 gauge load in a typical over-under produces noticeably less recoil than a 1 oz 20 gauge or a 1⅛ oz 12 gauge target load in a gun of similar weight, which is a large part of the gauge's appeal for long clay sessions and for newer shooters. Shot size numbers run opposite to size — #9 is smaller than #7½ — and skeet loads normally use #9 shot, while upland game loads use #7½ down to #6 for larger birds.
Firearms Chambered in 28 Gauge
- Over-unders and side-by-sides from Browning, Beretta, CZ, and many European and Turkish makers — the dominant 28 gauge platform.
- Semi-automatics, including 28 gauge models from Benelli and Beretta.
- Pump-actions, including the small-frame Remington 870 in 28 gauge.
- Sub-gauge tubes for 12 gauge competition guns.
How 28 Gauge Prices Compare
The 30-day summary at the top of this page shows the observed per-shell price distribution for 28 gauge — the median, the quartiles, and how many retailers and listings stand behind them. Although the shell holds less shot and powder than a 12 or 20 gauge shell, it is produced in much smaller volumes, so its per-shell price does not scale down with its size. Compare with the 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore pages to see current figures side by side.
Birdshot and target loads are usually sold in 25-shell boxes and 250-shell cases, so compare cost per shell rather than box price — the search button at the top of this page sorts current listings that way. Set a free price alert to be told when a listing crosses a price you choose. Many 28 gauge shooters also reload their hulls; components are a separate purchase and not part of IronScout's shotshell figures.
Where to Compare 28 Gauge Prices
IronScout tracks in-stock listings across the retailers it covers and recomputes the 30-day summary daily. Shipping charges and free-shipping thresholds can change which offer is lower once delivered — see how to buy ammo online.